Tuesday, April 24, 2007
 
 

St. Brigid's parishioners aren't ready to let go, even though the decision to close the historic Catholic Church in Lowertown has been all but finalized.

Last night, St. Brigid's Heritage Coalition met with various people from the community to discuss the fate of the heritage building at 179 Murray St.

"The archdiocese is now accepting bids on the building," said coalition member John Heney. "We want to make sure that new developers honour the package."

The church gained heritage status in 1981. The designation includes floors, walls, ceilings, windows, nave, altars, aisles, organs and other parts of the building, Heney said.

RAUCOUS RESPONSE

The coalition urged attendees to write to municipal, provincial and federal representatives to ensure the protection and preservation of the site.

But when local architect Eric Jokinen got up to address the crowd, it became abundantly clear parishioners weren't ready to give up the fight to save their church.

"To save any heritage structure, you have to find a use for it," he said, adding condominium conversions have been successful in saving other heritage buildings.

"We have to keep it as a church," a man yelled from the back of the room. "St. Brigid's helps lots of people out."

"I want to keep St. Brigid's church as a church," added an elderly woman. "We should get rid of the archbishop."